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Regional policy of the European Union. By Irina Boisina Group number: 3910 Lecturer: Diana Zmičerevska.
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Regional policy of the European Union By Irina Boisina Group number: 3910 Lecturer: Diana Zmičerevska
The Regional policy of the European Union (EU), also referred as Cohesion Policy, is a policy with the stated aim of improving the economic well-being of regions in the EU and also to avoid regional disparities.
I The 1957 Treaty of Rome:little regional dimension • II Enlargement in 1973:Its consequences: creation of “ERDF”(European Regional Development Fund), a specific instrument • III The 1986 Single Act:The “Internal Market” objective and the accompanying policies, concerning economicand social cohesion policies serviced by the “Structural Funds” • IV The 1992 Treaty on the European Unionand the pillars of Communityconstruction concerning economic and social cohesion. • V The 1999 agreement and the preparation for enlargement
EU regional policy aims to: • help each region achieve its full potential • improve competitiveness and employment at regional level by investing in areas of high growth potential • bring living standards in the countries that have joined the EU since 2004 up to the EU average as quickly as possible.
During the period 2007-2013, the EU will invest a total of €347 billion in Europe's regions.The funding helps, for example, to improve transport and internet links to remote regions, boost small and medium-sized enterprises in disadvantaged areas, invest in a cleaner environment and improve education and skills. EU funding is also invested in innovation, developing new products and production methods, energy efficiency and tackling climate change.
Regional inequalities can be due to many things, including: • longstanding handicaps imposed by geographic remoteness • more recent social and economic change • the legacy of formerly centrally-planned economic systems • combinations of these and other factors.
The impact of these disadvantages is frequently evident in: • socialdeprivation • poorqualityschools • higherunemployment • inadequateinfrastructure.
Regional policy is about investing in people.The idea is for regional policy to dove-tail with the EU’s agenda to promote growth and jobs by: • making countries and regions more attractive for investments by improving accessibility, providing quality services (such as high-speed internet) and preserving environmental potential • encouraging innovation, entrepreneurship and the knowledge economy through the development of information and communications technologies • creating more and better jobs by attracting more people into employment, improving workers’ adaptability and increasing investment in human capital.
Regional spending for 2007-13 accounts for over one third of the EU budget – or some €350 billion. Depending on the what is being funded, and in which country or region, the money comes from three difference sources: • The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)– general infrastructure, innovation, and investments. • The European Social Fund (ESF)– vocational training projects, other kinds of employment assistance, and job-creation programmes. • The Cohesion Fund– environmental and transport infrastructure projects and the development of renewable energy. This funding is for 15 countries whose living standards are less than 90% of the EU average(12 newest EU members plus Portugal, Greece and Spain).
Particular efforts are being made in central and east European EU countries and regions with special needsin the other EU countries. • There is a strong focus on support for innovation and research, sustainable development, and job training in less advanced regions. Some funding is also provided for cross-border and inter-regional cooperation projects.
Latvia –the EU investsEUR 4.6billionin the regionsFor 2007-2013, Latvia has been allocated EUR 4.6 billionin EU structural funds.Latvia has been receiving structural funds since the country joined the EU in mid-2004. More than 2 200 jobs were createdduring that period, some 800 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) received support and 140 km of roads wererenovated. A solid household waste management system was built in the Ventspils region, and a spectacular bypasson the Via Baltica now links Lilaste to Skulte.
2007-2013 priorities • Some EUR 1.17 billion towards transport, with investment in roads, railways and trans-Europeantransport network projects. • Nearly EUR 1 billion towards environmental protection, including the rehabilitation of polluted areasand the building of energy-efficient social housing. • EUR 1 billion on research and development (R&D). • EUR 500 million towards support to SMEs. • EUR 380 million on education and training aimed at combating social exclusion in the job market,and offering support to university students with a special focus on the sciences.